What are the dimensions of the Mercedes L508D (1968-1986)?

Example of a L508D

If you're looking for dimensions on your new camper conversion, you're in the right place. I've found detailed dimensions of the Merc 508, including the standing height, rear door width and interior width.

This post will hopefully be helpful when you're planning a camper van conversion or designing a food truck lay out. I hope these specifics are useful to you.

CENTIMETERS

  • The interior dimensions (length) of the Mercedes L508D cargo space is 3080mm (L1), 4025mm (L2), and 4025mm (L3).
  • The interior width of the Düsseldorfer is 1855mm and the exterior width is 2100mm.
  • The interior height of the Mercedes L508D is 1750mm (H1), and 1990mm (H2).
  • The wheelbase lengths are 2950mm (SWB), and 3500mm (MWB).
  • The width between the wheel arches on this model is 1490mm.

INCHES

  • The interior dimensions (length) of the Mercedes L508D cargo space is 121.3" (L1), 158.5" (L2), and 158.5" (L3).
  • The interior width of the Düsseldorfer is 73" and the exterior width is 82.7".
  • The interior height of the Mercedes L508D is 68.9" (H1), and 78.3" (H2).
  • The wheelbase lengths are 116.1" (SWB), and 137.8" (MWB).
  • The width between the wheel arches on this model is 58.7".
Prefer tables? Click the button (scrolls down)

First, some info on the Düsseldorfer

The 508 is the succesor of the T1 (aka 'Bremer'). In the 1980s, the 508 becomes a widely popular van. It's hailed for it's very reliable engine and the easy layout. These vans will later on become the Mercedes Vario Series. The T2 is also called the 'Düsseldorfer', since it was manufactured in Düsseldorf. The T stands for Transporter.

The T2 consists two generations: the first generation was produced from 1967–1986, the second generation from 1986–1996. So it's been around quite a while. The L508D was made until 1986. The second generation T2s didn't include a 508. Part of the same series is the 407D, which did make the second generation. After 1996 the 508 lineage developed into the Vario Series, also called the T3.


Dimensions in tables

Outside dimensions of the L508D:

Exterior L1 L2 L3 Width
Exterior length (mm) 5043 5993 6943 2100
Exterior length (inch) 198.5 235.9 273.3 82.7

All models of the Mercedes L508D have the same interior and exterior width: 73" or 1855mm (interior); and 82.7" or 2100mm (exterior).

Interior dimensions of the L508D:

Inside dimensions L1 L2 L3 Width
Interior length (mm) 3080 4025 4025 1855
Interior length (inch) 121.3 158.5 158.5 73

Maximum floor surface:

Max. floor area L1 L2 L3
Square meters (m2) 5.7 7.5 7.5
Square feet (ft2) 61.5 80.4 80.4

Please note that this is an indication and does not take into account the wheel arches.
The width between the wheel arches on this model is 1490mm, or 58.7".

Mercedes L508D roof height:

Roof in millimeters H1 H2
Interior height (mm) 1750 1990
Exterior height (mm) 2540 2690
Roof in inches H1 H2
Interior height (inch) 68.9 78.3
Exterior height (inch) 100 105.9

Wheelbase distance:

Wheelbase short (SWB) medium (MWB)
Wheelbase length (mm) 2950 3500
Wheelbase length (inch) 116 138

Door measurements:

Doors Rear door
Door width (mm) 1660
Door height (mm) 1580
Rear door
Door width (inch) 65.4
Door height (inch) 62.2

More Info on Dimensions

If you want to know...

  • why there's a difference in exterior and interior width
  • what L1 or H3 means
  • how to read measurements
  • or why dimensions matter

... I encourage you to read my post on how to understand van dimensions.


Example of a L508D
A 2nd generation L508D L1 (standard length)

Can you stand up in a Mercedes Düsseldorfer?

Standing up in an empty van

The interior roof height of a Mercedes L508D is 1750mm (H1) - 1990mm (H2) .
If you are of medium height (178cm or 5"10') you can't stand up in a Mercedes L508D H1. But you can stand up in a Mercedes L508D H2 and up.

What happens if I insulate the van?

Are you planning on insulating and cladding the floor and roof? In that case you can't stand up fully in a L508D H1. But you would still be able to stand up in a H2 model and up.

What's a Düsseldorfer high top?

Mercedes provides their Düsseldorfers with both high and low tops. High tops are elevated roofs to provide more headroom. Generally, everything above H2 is considered a high top, and should offer sufficient space to stand up fully.

Is this a good van for a camper conversion?

Yes, definitely. The engine is slow but reliable, the extra width and the nearly straight walls make it a very practical vehicle to build in. It offers nearly 10cm extra width compared to a modern Sprinter. Which is huge on an average of 1750mm.

It also means that the L2 model provides nearly as much floor surface as a 2nd generation Sprinter L3 model. Which is crazy, because they're very, very long. But admittedly, the extended L3 version of the 508 is even more huge:

The L3 Sprinter 2006 model - it's huge
It's been used as a proper motorhome - this is the extended version L3 - it's even more huge

A Boxy Body

Because of it's box-like shape, the 508 is extremely suitable for racking out or building an interior in. It's a very practical van. It has somewhat of a curve in the sidewalls, but no more than 10cm of difference between the belt and the roof. It's also a lot wider than most modern-day vans, making it very practical for camper builds.

Amount of Floor Surface

The 508 is also a winner in terms of floor surface. It's extra width considerably adds to the overal floor surface, reducing the need for a L3 or L4 length van if surface is what you need.

The extra width also increases liveability, since it's quite nice if you can't touch both walls at the same time.


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